Abstract

Ion-exchange in glass has been demonstrated to be a successful technique for producing high-performance passive components for optical communications; we have obtained values as low as 0.11 dB insertion loss at 1300 nm for a 4 cm straight waveguide by carefully adapting the process to match the mode field of the fiber. To measure such performances we developed a full set of measurement techniques. The advantages of the planar technology are straightforward: achromaticity, polarization independence, and ability to integrate multiple components on the same chip. We particularly studied the behavior of Y-junctions and proximity couplers, giving us the capacity to make 1:2 splitters and wavelength-division multiplexers. For these we confirmed the influence of interaction length and guide separation. Modeling results, using coupledmode theory or a beam-propagation method, show good agreement with the experiment. Finally, device performance in the weak multimode regime is explored. Further integration may permit 1:N couplers and highisolation wavelength-division multiplexers. Components made with this technology may have a competitive advantage over those made by fusion or micro-optics technologies. Our presentation will include performance reports on these two types of devices.

© 1990 Optical Society of America